The Human Condition by May Roded
May 31 – August 28, 2024
Valencia Public Library, 23743 West Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355
The City of Santa Clarita is happy to announce “The Human Condition” an exhibition featuring etchings by printmaker and photographer May Roded. This exhibition is on view at the Valencia Public Library from May 31 to August 28th.
In her work, May Roded explores behavioral psychology and identity through printmaking. She is curious about the relationships and feelings we develop with symbols, material possessions, and time, which ultimately influence and become a part of our identity. In her Clothing Pile Etchings, she explores how clothing expresses our character while being worn but can also represent our states of emotions or being once disassociated from our bodies.
How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged after the show ends on August 28, 2024.
May Roded | mayroded.com | @may.roded
Q&A with May Roded
Hi May, thank you for exhibiting your artwork with us at the Valencia Public Library. Tell us, where do you find inspiration for your artwork?
I find my inspiration from experiences throughout my life that makes me feel connected to the present moment. It could be a moment shared with a person that amplifies a relationship dynamic with them, or a material object that sparks an emotion or feeling. I am also very inspired by other artists whose work focuses on realism or symbolic imagery such as Kiki Smith, Vija Celmins, Theodora Allen and Toba Khedoori.
What would you say is the purpose or goal of the artwork you create?
The purpose of my work is to evoke feelings of curiosity and contemplation. I often work with images that are very personal but resonate with others because of the personal connections which we all create with relationships and possessions throughout our lifetimes. I like the curiosity of sitting and thinking about why certain things make us feel certain ways.
How do you describe your artistic style?
May: I like to work with a lot of fine detail and very meticulously. In my etchings I work in a style that amplifies textures and values to encourage desired atmospheres. In more recent works I use collage and layering which are also used to create depth. Overall my style is nostalgic or contemplative in concept.
Can you please walk us through your creative process?
I work from a personal album of photographs or collection of materials that are reproduced through different printmaking techniques such as etching, screenprinting or monoprinting. Most designs are sketched out, then the matrix is developed to produce a print which is then editioned to create a set of prints. Each image is considered for the best printmaking approach and sometimes is later incorporated into larger print collages.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received as an artist that you would like to pass along to other artists?
I work from a personal album of photographs or collection of materials that are reproduced through different printmaking techniques such as etching, screenprinting or monoprinting. Most designs are sketched out, then the matrix is developed to produce a print which is then editioned to create a set of prints. Each image is considered for the best printmaking approach and sometimes is later incorporated into larger print collages.
